Història del creixement econòmic a Mallorca, 1700-2000

Abstract

This award-winning study deals with the Balearic Islands economic history between 1700 and 1960. The maritime export of olive oil and, after 1830, that of wine, spirits, citrus fruit and almonds financed imports. There is a correlation between emigration areas and exports. Economic growth was based on a widespread cottage industry. A family-based entrepreneurial system developed in which family members were stationed in the various export centres and this was to prove very important in the later development of the tourist industry. Capital was scarce but social stability kept wages low. The Balearics were marked by their very open and dynamic society throughout the period under study. The merchant class came to replace the Islands aristocracy and the export of industrial textile and footwear products grew after 1885. World War I and the Spanish CivilWar, in particular, were growth periods for the Balearics, which were not involved in either of these conflicts. In 1959 the Islands stood on a level of 76 % of the European GDP, which is why they were able to grow quickly with the onset of liberalisation. The Balearics have a complex, open and dynamic society that has adapted to the many changes in the world economy, as has happened most recently with respect to tourism, now the Islandsforemost area of activity.